Joining the UK Event Industry: Associations and Clubs for Professionals and Companies

There are several associations and clubs available for event industry professionals and companies to join in the UK. Here are some of the most well-known ones:

Event Industry Alliance (EIA):

A UK-based trade association that represents a wide range of event industry professionals and companies, including event planners, production companies, and suppliers.

Association of Event Organisers (AEO):

A trade body for event organisers, venues, and suppliers, which provides support and advocacy for its members.

Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA):

A UK-based trade association that represents exhibition and event suppliers, providing a range of services and resources for its members.

Meetings Industry Association (MIA):

A UK-based association for the meetings and events industry, which provides training, accreditation, and networking opportunities for its members.

National Outdoor Events Association (NOEA):

A trade association for the outdoor events industry in the UK, which represents a wide range of event professionals, including event organisers, suppliers, and local authorities.

International Live Events Association (ILEA) UK Chapter:

A global association for creative event professionals, with a UK chapter that provides education, networking, and professional development opportunities.

The Event Marketing Association (EMA):

A UK-based association for event marketing professionals, which provides training, resources, and networking opportunities to its members.

These associations and clubs can provide valuable resources, education, networking opportunities, and advocacy for event industry professionals and companies in the UK.

How likely are UK visitors to attend more than one open-air event and are there any statistics on attendance?

It is difficult to provide a definitive answer on how likely UK visitors are to attend more than one open-air event, as this can depend on a variety of factors, including personal preferences, availability, and budget.

However, there is evidence to suggest that the popularity of open-air events in the UK has been increasing in recent years. According to the Association of Independent Festivals, there were over 1,000 music festivals in the UK in 2019, with an estimated total attendance of over 4 million people. This indicates that there is a significant demand for open-air events in the UK, and that visitors are willing to attend multiple events throughout the year.

Furthermore, a survey conducted by the Event Industry Forum in 2019 found that the majority of visitors to outdoor events in the UK attend more than one event per year. Specifically, the survey found that 56% of respondents attended between two and five outdoor events per year, while 22% attended more than five events per year. This suggests that UK visitors are likely to attend multiple open-air events, and that there is potential for event organisers to attract repeat visitors by providing high-quality experiences.

It is worth noting that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the events industry, including open-air events. However, as vaccination rates increase and restrictions are lifted, it is possible that attendance at open-air events in the UK will recover and continue to grow in the coming years.